I have a new article up at NewEvangelizers.com.
I have no idea if this is a growing trend or only the reaction of a few sad individuals, but in the last few days there have been more and more examples of prayer shaming.
In the wake of the horrible attacks in Paris and most recently in San Bernardino people responded on social media by offering their prayers for those affected. This is a natural thing done around the world as a way of expressing sympathy, sorrow, and compassion as well as reaching to the Heavenly Powers for aid.
But for some reason, there are those who are taking these prayerful offerings and mocking them. The New York Daily News did a front page headline publicly calling out and shaming people who offered their prayers to the victims, calling their prayers “meaningless platitudes.” And there are some voices on the internet that are echoing these sentiments. And yes this criticism was more directed at politics that individual spirituality, but it was an attack on prayer nonetheless.
So how is a faithful Christian to respond to this?
I think we have to look at it as a spiritual attack and a spiritual challenge.
You can read the entire article here.
Dude, unclench. Trolls do that to everything.
ReplyDeleteTo misquote Lex Luthor: "People are no damn good,"
I explain traffic and the internet with two quotes.
"To reveal a man's character give him power."
Abraham Lincoln
"Give a man a mask and he will tell the truth. (or "he will betray his true nature.")"
Oscar Wilde
In general, I agree with you. But the fact that this idea has materialized on the front page of a mainstream newspaper caused me to take pause.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I love the 2 quotes you shared.
They play to the mob as well. Everybody does it. Cheap thrills with no blow back. That's why Rupert Murdock has more money than God.
DeleteThey just want to get a rise out of you.
I'll sing you a few bars of Nick Cave's "People Just Ain't No Good..."
Save your strength for the battles you can win.